Picking the Perfect Foundation for your Skin Type

Picking the perfect foundation can be rough, especially if you’re an internet shopper like I am. Luckily, there are ways to get around this difficulty, by getting to know your brands and your skin. Once you get the basics down, foundation can be the staple of your beauty routine and work wonders for your look.

When picking out a foundation there are a few things you should consider before making a choice. Your skin tone and skin type play a huge role in the selection process. Choosing a foundation that’s not suited for your skin type can cause difficulty applying, skin irritation and bad performance from the product. Not only will it feel wrong but it won’t mesh well with your skin causing it to look unnatural.

“First, figure out if you have pink undertones or olive undertones in your skin. If you use darker shades, check to see if you have red, blue or yellow undertones.

Second, when choosing your foundation, check to see if the foundation you chose has your undertones in them.

Third, test the foundation color on both your neck/chest area as well as your cheek/jaw line area. If possible, step outside to get the most natural light. It’s hard to see in departments store lights and it may give you false impressions of the foundation color. The right foundation should literally blend right into your skin. If you can see the streaks of color, you have the wrong color on. Try another color.

If a certain brand is not working and you can’t seem to get the right color, try another brand. Just remember, the right foundation should blend right into your skin. It’s about evening out your skin to make it look flawless, not masking it! If you have great skin but a have just a few blemishes, you could even just spot conceal and skip the foundation overall. Less is definitely more! “

Flickr user: Eire Sarah

The right formula can be hard to find, but the best way to find what you like is by testing out a few samples after choosing the category that is recommended.

Liquid foundation can be used for all skin types and is especially great for dry or mature skin. Usually, liquid foundations have light to medium coverage and come in many different finishes for the type of look you want to go for.(matte, satin, dewy) Liquid is great for smoothing out any discoloration, flaws or unevenness. Liquid foundation is also moisturizing, and can be applied with a foundation brush, sponge or fingers. I swear by Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation and MAKE UP FOR EVER’S HD Foundation. These feel like you’re wearing nothing at all after applying and silk when you put it on.

Cream foundation is generally used for heavier coverage and has a heavier consistency. This is great for covering discolorations, uneven texture and imperfections. This has medium to full coverage and can be applied with a sponge, foundation brush or your fingers and is best suited for normal, combination or dry skin.

Pressed powder is what I like to call a wonder product. It can be used for coverage, quick fixes or take the place of a liquid foundation. It evens out your skin tone and soaks up excess oil. A pressed powder foundation is ideal for someone with oily skin and gives light to medium matte coverage.

There’s been a huge hype recently about mineral makeup and I can say that I’m very much a fan of it, especially mineral foundation. Mineral foundation is light, moisturizing and absorbing. It’s perfectly suited for people with sensitive skin and offers light to medium coverage depending on the brand. Mineral foundation can be applied sparingly, or used more heavily for better coverage with a powder brush or kabuki brush.

Tinted Moisturizer is good for dry to normal skin and can be worn to protect and add a little glow to your skin without caking it on. Tinted moisturizer adds hydration to dry skin while lightly evening out your skin tone. My favorite tinted moisturizer is dermalogica’s Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15. It provides coverage and SPF protection without feeling heavy on my skin.

If you’re buying online and aren’t sure about a couple products, user reviews and looking at product info can be a huge help. If you’re a beauty junkie and recognize ingredients, taking a look at the ingredient list is helpful too. Remember makeup should be fun and part of a luxury. Take your time in applying and enjoy the benefits of creating a smooth complexion.

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